With the festive season fast approaching, local people and
businesses are being encouraged to give what they can to a
campaign that has helped hundreds of people sleeping rough to
move off the streets and rebuild their lives.
Generous public donations of more than £310,000 have already been
given to the region's alternative giving campaign, Change into
Action, since it was launched, helping around 2,000 people break
through the cycle of rough sleeping.
To raise awareness about this year's seasonal campaign, Cllr
Sharon Thompson, Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands, visited the
Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham to hand out leaflets to
stallholders, other local businesses and shoppers.
The campaign, part of the work of the WMCA's Homelessness
Taskforce, encourages people to make an online donation
rather than giving directly to those asking for money on the
street.
Every single donation personally benefits a person sleeping rough
with trusted local charities and street teams working to identify
those most in need and offer interventions that can really make a
change to their personal circumstances.
Change into Action is making a difference right across the
region, from helping to find a home, buy essential household
items, personal care items and new clothes to boost confidence,
health and wellbeing, to providing employment support and
assistance to get to vital support services and appointments.
Cllr Thompson said: “The generosity of people across the West
Midlands has been incredible – they have helped to change the
lives of hundreds of others most in need. If you are able to
donate anything, however small, it would mean a great deal of
difference to those at risk of sleeping rough this Christmas.
“We know that addressing homelessness in the long term means
tackling its root causes. It remains a priority to build more
social and affordable housing so we can make sure everyone has
somewhere to live, and is able to access jobs, training
opportunities and the ongoing support they need to start
rebuilding their lives.”
Donations can be made all year round online through a dedicated
website - www.changeintoaction.org.uk.
Christmas shoppers and those on a night out can also donate with
a tap of their bank card or mobile phone at contactless points
set up in Birmingham by the Colmore Business Improvement District
(BID). They are located at 200 Degrees Coffee Shop on Colmore Row
and at Snowhill Station.
In Wolverhampton, there are donation points located in city
centre businesses and two ‘tap to donate' points located close to
the city centre's bus station and at Wolverhampton train
station.
In Coventry, ‘tap to donate' points are at Coventry Building
Society in Broadgate and another at Timpsons, also in the city
centre.
Cllr Mark Parker, chair of the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce
Members' Advisory Group and Solihull Council's cabinet member for
housing, added: “There are lots of reasons
why people become homeless or find themselves sleeping rough and
it's really important that we all work together regionally to
support vulnerable people who are faced with this.
“In Solihull, our Rough Sleeper Outreach Team works hard to help
and support people to safely move off the streets and into
accommodation. In the last year we have prevented 404
households from becoming homeless and helped 597 people into long
term housing.
“But it's a combined effort. We're helped tremendously by our
residents, partners and local businesses who continue to work
with us, reporting people they think are rough sleeping to
StreetLink, who pass the info back to the team. They also help by
donating to Change into Action to provide additional support.
“Our message continues to be – nobody needs to sleep rough.
Please help us by contacting StreetLink when you see someone
sleeping rough, and if you're able, please support Change into
Action Solihull too.”
Change into Action was launched as a pilot in Birmingham in 2017
and subsequently rolled out across Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell,
Solihull, and Walsall, with Wolverhampton having a similar scheme
called Alternative Giving CIO.
Cllr Francis, Birmingham City Council's cabinet member for
housing and homelessness, said: “In Birmingham, we have dedicated
Outreach Teams on the streets, 7 days and nights a week, and
sufficient emergency accommodation, so there is an offer for all.
We are committed to ensuring that there is a bedspace for anyone
requiring it throughout the year.
“Every penny donated to Change into Action goes directly to help
an individual who has been sleeping rough and needs help. Our
trusted outreach charities make sure the funds go to where they
are needed most, for instance, buying clothing, a phone to keep
in touch, furniture for a home, and tools for a job. Over
the years, thanks to the generosity of the Birmingham public,
Change into Action has helped to improve the lives of hundreds of
people sleeping rough in the city.”
